by Susan Hayes
“I know your feelings on this, Father. You’ve made them very clear.”
Another voice, louder and as hard as granite, answered. “Excellent. Then your mother and I will expect you and your new mate to return to Pyros shortly. Our grandchildren will be raised here, of course. They’ll need to make the right friends, receive all the best training. We’ll start making arrangements.”
“You need to listen to me. Your grandchildren—"
“You’ll have to let your mother know when you’re arriving. She’ll arrange a proper reception, and she’ll want to introduce your…what did you say the human’s name was?”
“Her name is Hanna.” Jet was almost snarling in frustration, now, and his anger battered her through their bond.
Damn it. They were talking about grandchildren. She shouldn’t have waited to tell Jet the truth. Now his parents were expecting him to come home and start a family. A family she couldn’t give him. He was arguing with them over a future they’d never have.
She froze in place, torn between guilt, shame, and a desire to stand with him as he fought to make his father understand things had changed. Jet had told her about his plans to live by his own rules, free of his family’s obligations and expectations. She’d encouraged him. But now, she had to let him fight this battle alone because anything she could say would only make things worse.
Jet’s father kept talking, but she didn’t want to hear anymore. Later, she’d come back and tell Jet the truth. She’d wasted her breath asking for divine aid. If they existed at all, they weren’t going to help her. With her friends gone, there was no one in her corner. She was on her own, and if that was the case, then she needed some time alone so she could think.
Slipping past the office door unseen, she let herself out of Jet’s quarters and into the corridor. She was so focused on getting out quietly, she almost tripped over the package outside the door.
“And wouldn’t that have been an end to my stealthy escape.” She picked up the brown paper package. It was solid and had some weight to it, and her name was written on it in purple marker, along with a single line of instructions. “Open me.”
She walked down the hall until she found an empty alcove before unwrapping the gift. Inside was a book and a note. The book was one she recognized. Hell, just about every woman on the planet knew this book. “What to expect when your mate is an alien,” was an international bestseller, co-written by two human women, Aria Frasier and Haley Anderson.
The note was written in the same purple marker. “Come find me when you get this. Eva.” There was a room number and directions scrawled beneath the name.
She didn’t feel like going on a scavenger hunt, but she didn’t have anywhere else to go, so she tucked the book under her arm and followed the directions to an office on the main floor of the embassy. She knocked on the metal door and it slid open, revealing a cozy office done in soft pastel shades.
Eva looked up from her desk with a smile. “Hi. I was wondering when you’d appear. Come in. Can I get you anything? Tea? Coffee? Have you tried korta yet? It’s delicious.”
“Uh, hi. Coffee would be great.” Eva’s natural effervescence set her at ease, and she came into the room and took a seat, placing the book on the cluttered desk. “Thanks for the gift, by the way.”
Eva was already on her feet and pouring coffee into a bright pink mug. “You’re welcome. We keep a bunch of them on hand to give out to newly mated females. Things were so crazy before, no one thought to give you one.”
“I’m not sure I was in any condition to read it, anyway. By the time I got here, things were sort of past that point.”
Eva laughed and set down the mug, along with cream and sugar. “Oh believe me, I remember. Keth and I had a rough start, too. I was so badly injured in the stadium bombing it took me forever to wake up. By that time, they’d had to put Keth under to protect him from the effects of the Scorching. He almost lost me, then I almost lost him, and then hoo boy, the Scorching took us both.”
“But it all worked out for the two of you.” She was too tense to relax, but she sipped the coffee to give herself something to do.
“Of course it did. We’re true mates. That doesn’t mean it was easy.” She shook her blonde head and laughed. “The males all seem to think it’s going to be simple. No matter how many training sessions we give them, they’re always surprised when it doesn’t all fall into place.” Eva reached over to tap the book. “Which is why my friends wrote that.”
It was all a little surreal. Here she was, drinking coffee and chatting with a near stranger about being mated to an alien. Still, Eva was the only woman she knew in this entire place, and she was mated to a Pyrosian, too. “So, I’m not the only one to have doubts?”
Eva got up and walked over to her. “May I hug you? I think you need it.”
Hanna nodded and Eva gave a small coo of delight and hugged her. “It’s going to be okay. This is what we call stage two. Also known as the ‘what the hell am I doing?’ stage. Almost everyone goes through it, especially those of us who found their mates accidentally.”
Eva returned to her side of the desk and plopped herself down in her chair. “So, what’s worrying you?”
“Everything. I mean, I like Jet. A lot. He’s sweet and smart and always knows exactly what to say to make me laugh, and he did his best to protect me when we were taken, but I don’t really know him at all.” Once the words started coming, they poured out of her in a flood she couldn’t stop. “And then there’s the age difference. I mean, he’s a decade younger than me. He should be with someone his own age. Someone who could give him a…” She finally stopped herself from talking.
Eva was silent for a long moment, then folded her hands on the desk and leaned forward. “No one is saying you have to be in love with him already. The Scorching is intense, but it’s not love. Oh, they think it is, but they’ve had their whole lives to come to terms with the Spark thing. Touch a girl, get the spark, poof! You’re mated.” She threw up her hands. “It takes us humans a little longer, but so far, every woman who’s met her mate has fallen in love with him eventually.”
“All of them?”
“All of them. No matter what their differences.”
“And how many of them couldn’t have children? I mean, that’s the whole point of the Pyrosians coming here, right?” She hadn’t meant to toss the words out like a challenge, but that’s how it sounded, even to her.
Eva sat back in her chair, her hands pulled in close to her stomach. “That’s not a common issue. In fact, I only know of one pairing like that.”
“One?” Hanna had expected her to say there hadn’t been any. “And they’re still together?”
“Oh yes.” Eva’s smile returned. “They’re together, and very much in love. We’re hoping to adopt a baby eventually, but it’s a bit complicated what with Keth being from another planet and all.”
Her train of thought jumped the track and landed in a tangled, smoking heap. “Wait. What? You?”
“Can’t have children,” Eva confirmed. “Cancer.”
“I’m so sorry. I didn’t know.”
“There’s nothing to be sorry for. Not every woman is destined for motherhood. I’m alive, I have a life and a male I love. It’s more than enough.”
“And Keth doesn’t care? Isn’t he supposed to?”
“You’ve been reading too much of our propaganda. It’s true, to a point, but it’s not the whole truth.” Eva grinned. “I mean, when have you ever met a group of people who are all in agreement about everything, never mind an entire planet?”
Eva had a point, but there was a bigger problem. “When I left, Jet was speaking to his father. It uh, wasn’t going well, so I didn’t stay to listen long, but I heard enough. His family are expecting him to bring his mate home so our children can be raised on Pyros.”
Eva’s eyes widened. “Ah. And what did Jet say to that?”
“I don’t know. I left.” She winced at her own words. Why h
ad she left instead of waiting for Jet’s response? She was a grown woman, and she’d run away like a child who didn’t want to hear the word no.
“Does he know where you are right now?” Eva asked, trying not to smirk.
“No. I uh…”
Eva giggled. “You snuck out? Oh, man. You are so in stage two right now. It happens a lot. Which is why I left the book. Do you think he’s going to come looking for you any time soon? Should we tell him where you are?”
Hanna shifted her focus to the bond she shared with Jet. He was still radiating anger and frustration, and she got the sense that he was still in his office, dealing with his father. “He’s still busy dealing with his father. We should have some time.”
Eva nodded and picked up a communicator, tapping a few keys. “I’m letting Keth know you’re with me. He’ll let Jet know. And now, since we have a little time, I think you and I should make some calls. It’s time you talked to the others.”
The others? She didn’t want to talk to anyone right now. Her friends were all away, and her family loved her, but they hadn’t understood her life or her choices in years.
“Maggie, Gwen, Aria. Maybe Hayley and Lisa, if they’re not busy with their babies.”
“You mean Maggie Pyr, the princess?”
“I do. You wanted to talk to them about life on Pyros, right? As part of your plans for the Haven Network. And I think talking to them will help you feel better about what’s happened to you. So, we’re just going to take out two ships with one comet.” Eva beamed. “Easy peasy.”
“Easy?” she laughed. “I’ve forgotten what that is. Nothing’s been easy since I got kidnapped and discovered my mate was also my cellmate.”
“It gets better. I promise.”
Hanna relaxed into her chair, cradling her mug in her hands. She wasn’t sure talking to the other women would help her, but it couldn’t hurt.
Jet reached the end of his patience. He’d listened to his father lecture and pontificate on all the reasons he needed to come back to Pyros. He’d heard it all before, but his father recited every item as if it was the first time they’d ever discussed it. He might have been able to ignore it, but then his sire had started in on Hanna. Calling her the human female, questioning her suitability, and making it clear he expected grandchildren as soon as possible, another generation he could indoctrinate and control the same way they controlled him. He wouldn’t let that happen.
“Enough!” He shouted at the screen.
“What did you say to me?”
“I said enough. As in shut the hell up and listen to me. For once in your life, listen!”
“You will not speak to me in that tone of voice.”
“Why not? It’s the same tone you’re using on me.” Jet squared his shoulders and faced his father. “I’m not a child, anymore. I’m a grown male with a mate and a life of my own.”
“You’re a Tindor, and my heir. Your life isn’t your own. Never has been.”
“That was true before, but it’s not true anymore. I’m done, father. I’m staying on Earth with Hanna. We’ll visit Pyros, but that’s all it will be - a visit.” Spending time with Hanna, talking about their childhoods and families, it had brought a new perspective to things. He’d run away, but it wasn’t enough. He needed to make a clean break.
“But your children! You can’t possibly think to raise them on that primitive planet?”
“Who said anything about having children?”
“But…you’re mated!” the old man sputtered.
“Yes, I am. That doesn’t mean I want to be a father. You assumed it, just like you assumed everything else about me.” He slammed his hand against his thigh. “You don’t know me at all.” Gods, it felt good to finally admit it.
“I know that if you don’t stop this insanity, I’ll have no choice but to disown you. You’ll be on your own. No money. No family influence. No political capital.”
He lifted his chin and met his father’s gaze. “If that’s what you need to do.”
For several long seconds they stared at each other. Then his father’s eyes widened and he looked away. “We’ll discuss this later. Clearly the Scorching is still addling your brain.” His father cut off the transmission with an angry wave of his hand and the screen went black.
Jet spun on his heel and left his office, still seething. He went straight to their bedroom, looking for Hanna. She had to have heard the argument, or at least felt his anger through their bond, and he wanted to explain what had happened. Only she wasn’t there.
“Hanna?” Her suitcase still sat in the corner, her brush was on the bedside table, but she was nowhere to be seen. “Hanna, where are you?”
Where the flames had she gone? He hadn’t even heard her leave. He focused on the link between them and exhaled in relief when he sensed her nearby and happy.
Laughing? Who was she laughing with? A surge of jealousy hit him, proving that his father was right about one thing, the Scorching hadn’t faded completely, yet. Probably why he’d had the courage to stand up for himself…or maybe it was because of Hanna. Meeting her had shown him what it truly meant to have a mission, a purpose. She’d dedicated her life to helping others. Now, he intended to spend his life helping her achieve her dreams.
He chuckled in a moment of wry self-awareness. He should probably tell her about that at some point. He’d spent so much time trying to show her that they belonged together, he’d failed to mention what he wanted out of their life. Maybe because until he met her, he hadn’t really known what it was.
He picked up a communicator, then belatedly realized it wouldn’t be helpful. He hadn’t gotten one for Hanna, yet. Instead, he contacted Keth. The male oversaw the embassy. If anyone could help him find his mate, it would be him.
“Finally figured out she wasn’t in your rooms?” Keth said by way of greeting.
“In my defence, I was rather busy picking a fight with my father. In other news, I think I might be about to get disowned.”
Keth chuckled. “Should I be offering you condolences or congratulations?”
“Just tell me I still have a job, and then tell me where my mate is. I take it you know her location.”
“Of course you still have a job. I’ve had to do it the last few days, and honestly, you can come back to work any time now. Talking to the media is exhausting. Oh, and Hanna is in Eva’s office. She’s been talking to some of the human females on Pyros. Something about stage two?”
Unlike most males, Jet had read the book. He was asked about it during so many interviews he’d had to. “Stage two? That’s…not good.”
He checked the link between them again. She was still happy and not at all distressed. So what was Keth talking about?
“A word of advice from a mated male. If things aren’t good, that’s no time to be leaving your female alone.”
“Very helpful,” he replied dryly.
“Consider it payback for making me do your job for the last three days. Now go find your mate so you can learn one of the truly great benefits to being mated.”
“What’s that?”
“The humans call it make-up sex.”
“Got it. I’m going to find Hanna now.” He ended the call and made for the door. He needed to find her, fix whatever had upset her enough to make her leave their room, get her naked, and learn what make-up sex was all about.
Chapter Nine
Hanna’s time with Eva and the others had been both enlightening and uplifting. Megan and Lily had joined in for part of the conversation, too. They’d reaffirmed the plans they’d made, reassuring her that despite the changes in all their lives, some things were still the same. They were still a team.
She hadn’t wanted to end it so soon, but she’d sensed Jet’s mood had changed. She couldn’t explain how, but she knew he was looking for her.
The others had nodded and laughed in understanding. Eva had programmed a communicator for her, one that had all their contact information so she could reach ou
t any time she needed to.
“And believe me, you’ll need to,” Gwen had said with a mischievous smile. “I love Kash more than anything, but in the beginning…”
Maggie laughed. “In the beginning, Gwen set Kash’s room on fire.”
“And I crashed Vadir’s ship!” Lisa added proudly.
“And I walked out on Tarjen, which wasn’t terribly practical, considering we were in orbit at the time,” Aria confessed.
“And I might have accused Torel of human experimentation and set myself on fire,” Haley said.
Their laughter followed her into the corridor, and she smiled as she retraced her steps. The other women’s support and advice had helped her find her center again and renewed her feelings of hope. Jet’s Gods had come through for her after all.
She was only a few steps away from his door when Jet strode out into the hall. “Hanna!”
“Hi. Sorry I left. I heard you arguing with your father, and I –”
He cut her off by hauling her into his arms and kissing her until she forgot what she’d been saying.
“So, you missed me then?” She asked when he finally let her up for air.
“Always.” He touched his chest. “If I hadn’t been able to sense that you were alright, I might have torn this place apart looking for you.”
She placed her hand over his. “I could feel you, too. I wanted to be there for you, but…”
He bowed his head and kissed her again, a slow, tender kiss that made her want to lean into his strength and stop talking altogether. “Why did you leave?”
“Inside.” She said, pushing lightly at his chest. This wasn’t a conversation she wanted to have in public.
He lifted her into his arms and carried her.
“I can walk!”
“I know. But this is more fun.” He carried her over to the small sitting area inside, then sat with her on his lap.